OEM Wireless Strain Gauge Sensor Transmitter (T24-SA)

This OEM wireless strain gauge sensor transmitter module provides measurement system for strain gauge, pressure, load cell, linear displacement and other 4 wire bridge sensors. Providing direct mV/V input and 5 V bridge excitation for up to 4 load cells. The miniature T24-SA size allows for the option of embedding within the sensor housing.

Click here to view & download associated free software.

Low power modes allow the OEM wireless strain gauge sensor transmitter module to ‘power down’ between transmissions or to ‘power off’ completely and can be controlled by other T24 products such as the handheld displays or a base station. The wireless strain gauge sensor can be configured to last several years on 2 x alkaline AA batteries or alternatively be powered from 2 x NiMH or 1 x 3V Lithium.

The high accuracy, low noise measurement electronics in the T24-SA deliver high resolution, low drift results which can be user calibrated over 9 points to enable linearization and to deliver results in user definable engineering units. The results can be transmitted at rates up to 200 per second to other T24 devices such as handheld displays, analog outputs and base stations etc.

Although the T24-SA can be used as an OEM solution (for example creating a wireless load cell by embedding the module), there are enclosure options available (see T24-ACM in 'Related Products Tab').

The wireless strain gauge sensor transmitter is configured and calibrated (either by applying known inputs or by table entry) using free T24 Toolkit software which runs on a PC connected to a T24 base station.

The T24-SA's integral antenna option offers up to 600 m (1969 ft) range and external antenna options allows up to 800 m (2600 ft) range in an open field site. 

The licence free 2.4 GHz direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) radio technology offers high integrity, error free communications which can co-exist with other wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth® and Zigbee®. FCC, ETSI and IC approvals.

See the battery life of your wireless sensing system using the Battery Life Calculator. 

Module transmits and Receives giving:
1. Full error detection and correction
2. Calibration & configuration via radio telemetry
3. Ability to be switched from sleep to operating mode via radio
4. mV/V Calibration stored within the module
5. Remote battery check
6. Data Encrytion for complete security (128 bit AES)

*Maximum range achieved in open field site with the T24 acquisition module at a height of 3 metres (9.8 feet) above ground and T24-HS held at chest height pointing towards the acquisition module. Specification at 3V supply at 25°C

 

 

 

 

Product order options

T24-SAi	Code
Strain Transmitter with Integral Antenna	T24-SAi
Strain Transmitter 4.5 mV/V with Integral Antenna	T24-SAi-A
T24-SAe	Code
Strain Transmitter with fitting for External Antenna	T24-SAe
Strain Transmitter 4.5 mV/V with fitting for External Antenna	T24-SAe-A

These are the following industries and applications in which this product has been used:

• Civil Engineering - Wireless Monitoring of Bridge Structures
• Construction - Wireless Monitoring of Building Foundations
• Lifting & Handling - Wireless Truck Load Weight Monitoring
• Lifting & Handling - Digital Crane Scales
• Marine - Wireless Mooring Rope Monitoring of Maritime Vessel
• Torque Measurement - Wireless Torque Measurement
• Torque Measurement - Torque Measurement Using Wireless Technology
• Waste Management - Wireless Skip Weighing System
• Waste Management - Wireless Platform Weighing With Ticket Printing
• Waste Management - Wireless Laundry Collection Tail Gate Weighing
• Civil Engineering - Remote Load Monitoring of Construction Shoring Struts
• Construction - Remote Load Monitoring of Construction Shoring Struts
• Automotive - Force Measurement in Formula Racing
• Automotive - Measuring the Output Power of a Motor
• Silo & Weighing Industry - Monitoring the Weight in 10 Grain Silos
• Lifting & Handling - Large Format Display
• Marine - Superyacht Sail-track Development
• Aerospace - Large LED Display of Weight of Small Aircraft
• Live Performance - Wireless Load Monitoring for Stage & Rigging
• Test & Measurement - Super Powered Eagles
• Construction - Hydraulic pressure monitoring for critical construction projects

Q: What are the sampling rates of the transmitter modules?

A: The T24 standard transmitter modules (SA, IA, VA, RA, TA, PA) sample from 0-200 updates/sec. The T24-SA fast transmitter modules are fixed at 2,000 updates/sec.

Q: What is the resolution of the transmitter modules?

A: The noise free resolution for a sample time of 10 milli-seconds or less is 15.5 bits for the T24 SA, 12.5 bits for the T24-VA, 14 bits for the VA and 12.25 bits for the T24IA.

The T24-PA’s accuracy % input error @ 1 Hz is 0.15% and for the T24 RA the accuracy is 0.01% of the full scale.

With increased sample times resolution can be increased up to 18.75 bits for the T24-SA.

Q: What is the supply voltage for the transmitter modules?

A: 3V for the transmitter modules and handheld displays. Other modules in the range take 9-36 V.

Q: What is the difference between the T24-SA and T24-SAf?

A: The standard transmitter modules are capable of providing data up to 200 sps. The ‘fast’ T24-SAf provides data at a fixed 2,000 sps.

Q: What is the difference between the "i" and "e" versions of the transmitter units?

A: The ‘i’ modules all feature an on-chip integrated antenna. The ‘e’ modules are fitted with a miniature UFL connector which can be used with any of the antenna options available; the T24-ANTA (PCB antenna) or T24-ANTB (fixed 90 degree Whip antenna) or T24-ANTC (flexible whip antenna) or T24-ANTD ('puck' antenna fitted with a 0.6m cable and RPSMA connector and supplied with a 100 mm RPSMA to UFL adaptor cable) or T24-ANTE ('puck' antenna fitted with a 100 mm cable and UFL connector).

Q: How is the strain gauge transmitter module calibrated?

A: The modules are factory calibrated to 2.5 mV/V which can be custom calibrated and linearised over up to 9 points by using the T24 Toolkit. The T24-SAf has fixed factory calibration and cannot be linearised.

Q: How are the modules powered?

A: Two standard AA batteries or the T24-BC1 Battery Charger, which provides a re-chargeable power supply using a Li-ion Cell. Find out the battery life of your system using our Battery Calculator.

Q: What software is provided with the T24 devices?

A: All devices are supported by the T24 Tool Kit which allows users to configure all devices from the T24 range as well as view and log data from transmitters modules in range. The software can also be downloaded directly from our website.

Q: How many devices can operate on one radio channel?

A: Many devices can operate on the same radio channel depending on the sample rate of the transmitter modules present in the system. The radio channel is capable of supporting up to 200 data packets per second.

Q: Can PC software gather data from many devices?

A: Yes, Mantracourt provides freeware for logging up to 100 inputs to one base station, in addition the free Windows DLL and COM driver can be used to gather data through a customer's own PC software.

Q: What limits the RF range of the devices?

A: Any metal surface will reflect 2.4 GHz radio waves, therefore in a sealed metal box, no RF will escape. However by providing a suitable RF window the signals will propagate out. Water and concrete also limit the RF range.

Q: What Frequency does the system operate on?

A: Licence free world wide 2.4GHz, although this frequency is used by other equipment, the T24 range has been tested with Bluetooth, Zigbee & WiFi devices without conflicts.

Q: Is it possible to use wireless range extenders within T24 network?

A: The T24-AR wireless range extender which can be added to the system can propagate a signal around corners and obstacles. This unit can also double the effective range - but only once.

Q: Is the system point to point?

A: Yes, however the modules may also operate in many to one (such as multiple data transmitters modules communicating with a base station) and one to many (such as a data transmitter module supplying data to multiple handhelds and displays).

Q: What sensors would these inputs cover?

A: Any sensor that provides a voltage, current or ratio metric interface can be connected to an transmitter module, including load cells, inclinometers, accelerometers, displacement LVDT, pressure, potentiometer, pulse, temperature, humidity, ph, shock.

Q: What is the communication protocol?

A: Proprietary protocol based on a 802.15.4 chip. This allows the T24 range to co-exist with Bluetooth, Zigbee & WiFi devices without conflicts.

Q: What are the sampling rates of the transmitter modules?

A: The T24 standard transmitter modules (SA, IA, VA, RA, TA, PA) sample from 0-200 updates/sec. The T24-SA fast transmitter modules are fixed at 2,000 updates/sec.

Q: What is the resolution of the transmitter modules?

A: The noise free resolution for a sample time of 10 milli-seconds or less is 15.5 bits for the T24 SA, 12.5 bits for the T24-VA, 14 bits for the VA and 12.25 bits for the T24IA.

The T24-PA’s accuracy % input error @ 1 Hz is 0.15% and for the T24 RA the accuracy is 0.01% of the full scale.

With increased sample times resolution can be increased up to 18.75 bits for the T24-SA.

Q: What is the supply voltage for the transmitter modules?

A: 3V for the transmitter modules and handheld displays. Other modules in the range take 9-36 V.

For more 'Frequently Asked Questions' please see our Knowledge Centre

Click here

Q: How are the modules powered?

A: The ACMm is the smallest module and has a separate battery pack (T24-BB1 using 2 x AAA). The T24-ACMi is the mid size module and provides power via 2 x AA internal batteries. The T24-ACM although larger can provide power from an external power supply (5-18V) as well as 2 x D cell internal batteries which provide a higher battery capacity allowing for longer battery life.

Find out the battery life of your system using our Battery Calculator.

Q: Can power be provided to a sensor?

A: Yes, all transmitter modules feature a 5V supply which is a excitation voltage (with exception of T24-RA which has 2.5V supply).

Q: How is the strain gauge transmitter module calibrated?

A: The modules are factory calibrated to 2.5 mV/V which can be custom calibrated and linearised over up to 9 points by using the T24 Toolkit. The T24-SAf has fixed factory calibration and cannot be linearised.

Q: What is the difference between the "i" and "e" versions of the transmitter units?

A: The ‘i’ modules all feature an on-chip integrated antenna. The ‘e’ modules are fitted with a miniature UFL connector which can be used with any of the antenna options available; the T24-ANTA (PCB antenna) or T24-ANTB (fixed 90 degree Whip antenna) or T24-ANTC (flexible whip antenna) or T24-ANTD ('puck' antenna fitted with a 0.6m cable and RPSMA connector and supplied with a 100 mm RPSMA to UFL adaptor cable) or T24-ANTE ('puck' antenna fitted with a 100 mm cable and UFL connector).

Q: What is the difference between the T24-SA and T24-SAf?

A: The standard transmitter modules are capable of providing data up to 200Hz. The ‘fast’ T24-SAf provides data at a fixed 2 kHz.

Q: How many transmitter modules can be acquired by the base stations?

A: Each base station can use one of 15 channels. From that selected channel a base station can collect data simultaneously from any number transmitter modules depending upon the frequency of readings being provided by the transmitter module.

Q: What are the input ranges of the T24 transmitter modules?

A: T24-SA 2.5mV/V calibrated strain gauge based measurement; T24-VA 0-10V, T24-IA 4-20mA, T24-TA pt100 sensor input, T24-RA potentiometer 500 to 100000 Ohms and T24-PA 0.5Hz to 3kHz.